Roger Watson is lucky to be alive. He survived sudden cardiac arrest on April 27, 2005.

A native of Pinehurst, Watson had been exercising at the First-Health Center for Health and Fitness. He lay down to do situps when he said he "got dizzy and went to the other side."

Thanks to quick-acting staff and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), Watson was able to tell his story Tuesday morning to a group of community leaders gathered for the HeartSafe Moore County kickoff breakfast.

HeartSafe Moore County hopes to reduce the number of deaths from sudden cardiac arrest by organizing an effort to put AEDs in public places and provide training for residents to use the devices.

Those women, Sandy Ritter, Michelle Blossfeld and Kathy Summers, were all employees of FirstHealth who resuscitated Watson.

Watson and Rachel Moyer were the featured speakers for the event. Both talked about the importance of AEDs and how the user-friendly devices can save lives.

Moyer's 15-year-old son, Greg, died from sudden cardiac arrest in 2000. He collapsed in the locker room at his high school in Pennsylvania during a basketball game. There was no AED present, and rescue workers arrived too late to save him.

"I saw my precious 15-year-old son unconscious and lying on the ground," Moyer said, as her voice trembled.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, killing an estimated 465,000 people each year. Two-thirds of those victims die while at home, work or play.

It is estimated that 7,000 to 14,000 children per year will die from undetected heart problems that could trigger sudden cardiac arrest.

Moyer said she never travels without an AED.

"Have I ever had to use it? No," she said. "But I watched my son die. I don't want something like that to ever happen again."

AEDs are portable battery-operated devices that use electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm in someone who has suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

Commonly called a massive heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the regular heart rhythm is interrupted. Blood flow to the brain slows, and the victim loses consciousness. Without help, death can occur in a matter of minutes.

HeartSafe Moore County is encouraging local businesses to purchase the devices, which will be available through the program for $1,500. That cost includes the device, all the necessary training and a weatherproof carrying case equipped with basic first-aid materials.

HeartSafe is also encouraging civic groups to purchase the devices and donate them to schools and other organizations.

During Tuesday's program, Watson donated an AED to Pinehurst Elementary School. George Hillard donated $1,500 on behalf of the Sandhills Kiwanians to purchase another AED, which will be given to the schools.

"To quote from one of our members, I hope we will never see it used," Hillard said, "But if it is used once, it will pay for itself."

With the two donations made Tuesday, eight AEDs are spread among the 22 public schools in Moore County.

HeartSafe is working closely with Moore County officials to identify locations of existing AEDs throughout the county so a master list can be created. Knowing where the AEDs are could help emergency responders direct those on the scene of the incident to administer treatment immediately.

Experts say time is the most important factor when dealing with sudden cardiac arrest. Survival rates drop by 10 percent every 60 seconds a victim goes without care.

Anyone wanting more information about AEDs or HeartSafe Moore County can call 947-6500.

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2473 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com

Reprinted with permission, The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC